New 2017 Fiat 500L – First drive review

Having already led its segment for half a decade, Fiat has
decided to give its 500L a major shot-in-the-arm for 2017. Our motoring
journalist, Tim Barnes-Clay, was flown to
Turin by the Italian automaker to drive the updated model.

Offbeat Looks

It is not often a car is so odd-looking that you feel a
little bit sorry for it, but I was close to feeling that for the new 500L.
However, we all know that looks aren’t everything, and this is certainly the
case with this latest Fiat. Gaze well beyond the new Fiat 500L’s
inelegant appearance and you have a vehicle that is impeccably sized for a
family, or indeed for disabled occupants. Fiat hasn’t said if the 2017 500L
will be obtainable on the Motability scheme, but
I’d be surprised if it isn’t on the list when it makes its way to the British
market later this summer.

Family-Focused

As a dad-of-three, this car would certainly suit my family’s
needs. I wouldn’t necessarily be showing it off to my mates, but I’d be glad of
its comfort and room. Why Fiat has had to make the 500L quite so
awkward-looking, I don’t know, but, one thing’s certain – it stands out. And
the shades, including brown, orange, green red and blue, just add to the
personality of the model.

Multi-Purpose

So, let’s look more carefully at the 2017 Fiat 500L. What is
it? Well, motoring around its natural locale of Turin, I discovered the car has
a trinity of characters: Urban, Cross and Wagon. 40 per cent of all
constituents have been renewed, and the 500L really is centering more than ever
on lifestyle. It’s all about airiness and functionality – so it must be
considered a mini multi-purpose-vehicle – or MPV, as it’s known in the
industry.

Handling

I was handed the new 500L Cross version to drive. It
includes a Mode Selector that gives you a choice of three response settings,
according to driving style and road conditions: Normal, Traction+ and Gravity
Control. The Fiat allows
you to do all you would do with a family on regular asphalt, but with the bonus
of managing coarse terrain when needed. It’s no die-hard mud-plugger, but, as I
discovered on the rural outskirts of Turin, it’ll cope with shingly, pockmarked
trails easily.

Features

Indeed, the Cross version of the Fiat adds a new
aspect to the personality of the 500L. On top of the Mode Selector, it has
other features. The car has been raised to give 25mm more ground clearance and
it has styling elements, which deliver a bona fide crossover look. The
tailoring includes a fresh bumper design, different front and rear skid plates
and new side protection mouldings.

Verdict

Fiat has developed the 2017 500L just enough to make it a
meaningful player in the family mini MPV marketplace. It’s more unconventional
than many other people movers – and that idiosyncrasy might just be enough to
budge sales. Above all, though, the new Fiat 500L Cross 1.4 T-Jet 120, as
driven here, is accessible, comfortable, and resourceful. Oh yes, the car also
boasts the roomiest boot in its segment. Families will appreciate the new 500L
for this last advantage alone. Why not search for the 500L on our site, or
pop in to see us?